Chapter 9: She Always Comes to Mind

President Wang drove her car to the suburbs. Today was the monthly family dinner, and everyone had to attend.

Though she disliked such occasions, President Wang couldn’t resist her parents’ insistence.

She pulled into the courtyard, and soon someone came out to greet her.

President Wang stepped up the stairs in her high heels and turned back to ask the butler.

“How are Dad and Mom’s moods today?”

The last time she came back, she had argued with them and left directly afterward.

If her older brother hadn’t called to urge her today, President Wang would have really skipped this dinner.

What’s so great about the food anyway.

“The chairman and madam are in good spirits today. They went fishing by the sea this afternoon and only returned a short while ago.”

“Heh… They really have leisure time.” 

President Wang curled her lip. 

She still had to go back and work overtime after eating.

Butler Li didn’t respond, only silently lowering his head.

Hopefully the young miss won’t argue with the chairman again later, he thought.

President Wang entered the villa, took off her shoes, and slipped into soft slippers, feeling a wave of comfort.

Inspecting several companies today had exhausted her.

She sat on the sofa, rubbing her ankles, when she suddenly thought of Jiang Chen.

They hadn’t contacted each other since she dropped her off. 

Though only a day had passed, President Wang felt as if much more time had elapsed.

She sat quietly for a while until laughter and noise came from the entrance.

Such an outgoing voice could only belong to her grandnephew.

“Hey, Aunt! You’re here so early!”

Wang Yu rushed in like a gust of wind. Seeing President Wang on the sofa, he exclaimed excitedly.

“Not early. Just a few minutes ahead of you.”

President Wang responded lazily, picking up an orange to peel.

Wang Yu kept chattering, making her frown.

Sure enough, girls are quieter.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and for no reason, she thought of a certain pink-haired girl again.

“Aunt, Aunt! What do you think if I dye my hair a different color?”

“Wang Yu, don’t even think about it.” 

Wang Yu’s mother, Fang Qinghua, also walked into the living room. 

She glared at her son and picked up a throw pillow to hurl at him.

Wang Yu quickly jumped up from the sofa and slipped over to sit beside President Wang.

“Sister-in-law.” 

President Wang greeted with a smile.

“Ziyue.”

Fang Qinghua smiled back, then glared at her son again.

“Has Brother not arrived yet?” 

President Wang helped her nephew change the subject.

“Your brother will be a bit late. I picked up this stinky kid and came first.” 

Fang Qinghua sat down as well.

“What’s up with Little Yu?”

“You heard it earlier. From the moment he got in the car, he’s been arguing with me about dyeing his hair. I told him, are you going to school or debuting as an idol? He retorted that he wants to dye it the same color as his goddess. Day after day, who knows what he’s thinking about at school.”

“Our Little Yu has someone he likes?” 

President Wang immediately caught the hint.

“Wang Yu, I’m warning you—no early romance for me.” 

Fang Qinghua frowned, staring seriously at her son.

“Hey! It’s not early romance. It doesn’t even count as a crush. I know my place—I’m not worthy of the goddess…” 

Wang Yu’s tone was resentful, making President Wang laugh.

“You keep calling her ‘goddess.’ Which girl has you so obsessed?”

“Hm… It’s my bro’s cousin. I met her by chance. She’s really pretty… really pretty…” Wang Yu narrowed his eyes as he spoke, recalling that fleeting moment in the afternoon. “She has beautiful pink hair…”

“Pink hair? You want to dye it pink?” 

President Wang raised an eyebrow.

She hadn’t thought much about it earlier, but hearing Wang Yu emphasize it again.

It couldn’t be such a coincidence, right?

“Yeah, you don’t know how good my goddess’s pink hair looks… Hey, how can there be someone so good-looking? And she seems to be from our school too.”

Wang Yu remembered that the other party was wearing a school uniform that afternoon.

“Is that so…” 

President Wang responded nonchalantly, then took her phone and went upstairs.

The mother and son downstairs started bickering again.

President Wang entered her bedroom, unlocked her phone, and opened WeChat.

Looking at the other’s profile picture, President Wang poked it. 

Unexpectedly, it triggered a “pat.” She hurriedly tried to recall it.

Then Jiang Chen sent a “?”.

Followed immediately by “What’s wrong, sister?”

President Wang looked at those five words, a smile appearing on her lips.

Sister… what’s wrong?

【Nothing, accidentally tapped it.】

President Wang sent it but immediately felt it was off. 

Who would accidentally tap someone’s profile picture for no reason?

【Oh】

The girl’s tone seemed a bit cold, making President Wang somewhat unhappy.

She was thinking about what to send next when she heard her older brother calling her to eat from outside the door.

“How’s the company lately?” 

Wang Ziyang walked downstairs with his sister. Ever since he left the family company, most of the burden had fallen on her.

He felt guilty toward this sister who was several years younger.

“It’s okay. I can manage with overtime every day.” 

President Wang said.

“You’re busy with work, but pay attention to your health. Usually go out with friends or something.”

“Big Brother…” 

President Wang stopped on the stairs, standing above.

Wang Ziyang touched his nose, avoiding his sister’s gaze.

“Are you going to be Mom and Dad’s spokesperson again?”

“Hey, Mom and Dad are also thinking about the rest of your life…”

“Alright, let’s go eat.”

President Wang interrupted him and walked downstairs first. 

Wang Ziyang looked at his sister’s back and sighed.

In the dining room, the two elders were already seated. 

Wang Zhen watched his daughter walk over unhurriedly and frowned, scolding her.

“How can you make the elders wait for you?”

President Wang didn’t respond. 

After sitting down, she first ladled a bowl of soup for her mother.

“This soup is the one you love, Mom. Drink more.”

Seeing his words ignored by his daughter, Wang Zhen wanted to say more but was interrupted by his wife, Ye Lan.

“Enough. You father and daughter argue every time you meet. No depressing talk during dinner today.”

President Wang raised an eyebrow after hearing this. 

Mom was on her side this time.

Wang Zhen wanted to say something but was glared back by his wife. 

He grudgingly ladled himself a bowl of soup and drank it silently.

Everyone was quiet during the meal. 

Only Wang Yu occasionally said a few witty remarks to amuse the two elders.

President Wang only moved her chopsticks a few times, her mind on other things.

“Why so preoccupied?” 

Ye Lan noticed her daughter’s serious expression and thought something had happened.

“Nothing. Thinking about work.”

“Work never ends. You’re just too responsible. Give yourself some relaxation usually.”

This was the same as what Big Brother said. 

President Wang nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Ye Lan could tell her daughter hadn’t taken it to heart. 

She wanted to say something but remembered the last argument and swallowed her words.

“I have to go back and work overtime later. I won’t stay the night.”

After dinner, the family sat in the living room watching TV, but President Wang picked up her bag and headed to the entrance.

“It’s rare for you to come back…” 

Ye Lan wanted her daughter to stay overnight.

President Wang turned back, hugged her mom, and said softly.

“This project is at a critical point recently. I need to go back and oversee it to feel at ease.”

“What project is so busy?” 

Wang Zhen asked. 

He also hoped his daughter would stay.

“It’s that new city project you developed a few years ago.”

Wang Zhen choked, so angry he waved his hand repeatedly at President Wang.

President Wang smiled and bid everyone farewell, then drove off.

Sitting in the car, she glanced at her phone and changed the navigation to the old town.